A five day visit to Bettles at the end of a four week trip which was planned around a tour to see the polar bears at Churchill (Canada) became the absolute unforgettable highlight of our holiday. Starting with the flight with Ryan air, which landed at Bettles and taxied almost to the door of the lodge, the tour exceeded all expectations. The welcome, the meals, the rooms, the friendliness not only of the staff (and Minnie and Blaze, the Lodge dogs) but every resident of Bettles and Evansdale that we met, was just wonderful. This was an "off-season" tour, but was such a fantastic experience I would recommend Bettles at any time of the year. Yoga out on the lake with Jamie in either summer or mid winter sounds worth the cost of the airfare from Australia.

My friend and I did the 4 night aurora viewing trip to Bettles Lodge at the end of October and cant say enough good things about the whole experience
Snow gear was included in our trip as were dog mushing (excellent fun)and a local village tour
The rooms were clean and very comfy, best beds of our whole 28 day trip. The linens and gowns were very luxurious and the food was amazing. Dont go without an appetite, the breakfasts and desserts were to die for with local berries stealing the show...yum!!
Blaze and Minnie stole the show but Jamie, Sven and Sevvy made us very welcome as did all the other locals, Paula, Mike the weatherman and Chief and the Postmistress
Stunning scenery, heaps to do and even saw the aurora on our first night..who could ask for more
Would love to go again some day
cheers
Pam

We flew here (only way to get here) on an expensive days excursion from Fairbanks, but it was worth every penny - an oasis in the arctic wilderness. Hazel made us very welcome, and although strangers, we were treated as old friends, especially by Ted (who seems to be the local welcoming 'character'. Got driven around Evanstown and down to lake, lunch at the Lodge (great chowder), and then a trip on the river to see Old Bettles. with Sven.

If you want to get away from it all in Alaska, this is as good as any. For real wilderness, our plane went back by Anatuvik Pass, up in the Brooks Range - stunning.

After a week on the John River (with canoe rentals and float plane drop courtesy of the Bettles Lodge), we spent the night at the lodge before heading south. The staff at the lodge is incredible. Every member is pleasant, professional, and exceptionally competent, from pilot to cook to the front desk clerk. They learned our names immediately and made us feel welcome. Every detail of our trip was well planned and we can't wait to go back, maybe for one of Sven's winter camping/sled dog trips.